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New Study Affirms Michigan As Key Player In Logistics

DETROIT — According to a study commissioned by Business Leaders for Michigan, Michigan can grow its position as a logistics gateway by accelerating efforts to support and maintain its logistics base, increasing investments in infrastructure that support global product movement and identifying niche industry sectors to build upon.

“This study helped identify strategic priorities that would enhance Michigan’s ability to compete as a logistics center,” said Business Leaders for Michigan president and CEO Doug Rothwell. “It reaffirms that Michigan has numerous opportunities to grow its economy by exploiting its position as a global gateway and by investing in infrastructure that will improve product movement — especially with Canada, our number one trade partner, but also Europe and Asia. Michigan’s proximity to Canada provides an advantage over Midwest competitors. By increasing the capacity and reliability of transport in southeast Michigan, particularly by further developing the airport and building a new international border crossing, we can help protect this existing industry base.”

Rothwell commented on the need to be competitive by improving key infrastructure for connections to important global markets and within the Midwest region, “Michigan is still an important manufacturing/supply chain player that is likely to sustain a substantial logistics business because of its manufacturing base. But there is an opportunity to grow our logistics industry by developing a business strategy that builds on its strength in air transport and identifies niche industries we can build upon.”

“Michigan can build on its strength as a passenger and air cargo hub to create an international business service hub” said Rothwell. “The Detroit Metro Airport hub, is considered to be an important global connection for the state’s economy, with the Grand Rapids and Lansing airports functioning as additional connections.”

The study was compiled by Global Logistics Development Partners, Global Innovation Partners and Greyhill Advisors and included reviewing Michigan’s logistics system and interviewing industry stakeholders, local policy makers, shippers, and the logistics industry. The entire study can be found at www.businessleadersformichigan.com/research-reports/

Business Leaders for Michigan is a private, non-profit executive leadership organization dedicated to making Michigan a “Top Ten” state for job, personal income and economic growth. The organization is composed exclusively of the chairpersons, chief executives or most senior executives of Michigan’s largest companies and universities, which provide over 320,000 jobs in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve over 135,000 students.